Chapter 161.2: Where is the Humble and Warm Sister?
Chapter 161.2: Where is the Humble and Warm Sister?
Translator:EndlessFantasy Translation Editor:EndlessFantasy Translation
The launching ceremony of <Mysteries of Heaven> was to be held at one o'clock at Shuofeng Film City. At this time, the production crew were busy preparing and organizing the reception of the actors and actresses involved in the drama. In the following few months for the duration of the filming, Jiang Yuning was to stay at a hotel in Shuofeng Film City alongside all the other cast members.
At noon, Jiang Yuning and Vera finally arrived at the Shuofeng Film City. However, the production assistant who attended to them brought them to a nearby bed and breakfast that was located in the city.
"Miss Jiang, you will be staying here throughout the duration of the filming. This has been specially arranged for by Director Shen Guobang. If you have anything that you need, please do not hesitate to contact me or ask for my help. My surname is Yan."
"Wasn't it stated in the contract that the accommodation provided will be a four star hotel?" Vera asked as she grabbed the production assistant's arm. "Are you guys trying to bully my artiste right now?"
"Sister Vera, you misunderstand me. The other actors and actresses are all being put up in a four star hotel on the west bank about three hundred metres from here. However, the environment at the hotel will be bustling and noisy as it will be crowded with people. Although the condition of this bed and breakfast does not seem as good as the four star hotel's, it will be a quiet and peaceful place. I believe that Miss Jiang would definitely prefer to stay here. If you are really dissatisfied with this arrangement, we can arrange for Miss Jiang to stay at the four star hotel with the other cast members," the production assistant replied with a bitter expression on her face.
"Do not worry. You can go now. I like it here," Jiang Yuning replied.
The small courtyard of the blue bed and breakfast was indeed very quiet and serene.
"Alright then. If the other actors or actresses ask, we will tell them that we have put you up at this bed and breakfast because the four star hotel is already fully booked."
"I understand," Jiang Yuning replied as she smiled at the production assistant.
"In addition, Sister Vera had just come from abroad and she must not be accustomed to our rules yet. If it is possible, I hope that Miss Jiang can help Sister Vera understand how things work around here." After that, the production assistant stepped away and left them alone.
"What does she mean?" Vera asked with a puzzled expression on her face as she watched the production assistant walk away.
"Last night, second brother told me a secret. He said that he has a close relationship with Director Shen Guobang. Didn't you hear what the production assistant said earlier? She said that Director Shen Guobang specifically arranged for me to stay in this bed and breakfast. If my guess is right, I believe that this is the arrangement that he has made with second brother. Do not worry, this sort of minor inconvenience is nothing to me," Jiang Yuning explained as she pulled her luggage into the lobby of the bed and breakfast.
"Are you Miss Jiang? Please follow me," the receptionist at the bed and breakfast said as she led Jiang Yuning to her bedroom.
At this time, Vera was pleasantly surprised because as they walked through the blue stone staircase and the bamboo forest, she discovered that all the bedrooms in the bed and breakfast actually had an upper and a lower floor.
"Miss Jiang, this will be your bedroom throughout your stay here. The door right next to your room is the back door that is only used by our staff members. Once you exit that door and turn right, your filming location is only about four hundred metres away."
"Okay, thank you very much," Jiang Yuning replied as she thanked the receptionist.
"Are you here for a vacation or are you here for a shoot? Moreover, I am surprised that the other actors and actresses did not fight to stay here instead."
"I can explain why. We were initially just a small, regular inn that is not quite known in Shuofeng Film City. However, the owner had decided to expand and rebuild the bed and breakfast only about six months ago, and that is why the public does not know of the comprehensive upgrade made to our inn. In fact, Miss Jiang is the only guest living here at the moment. We are not officially open to the public yet as there are still many things not fully equipped," the receptionist quickly explained.
After listening to the receptionist, Jiang Yuning was even more certain that this had all been carefully planned and arranged by Lu Jingzhi.
This was such a big bed and breakfast, but yet, she was the only guest living there. Furthermore, the receptionist had arranged for her to stay in the bedroom right next to the back door, which would be more convenient for someone to sneak in if they needed to.
Jiang Yuning was extremely excited because she was finally certain that second brother was not kidding when he said that he would come and see her whenever she wanted him to.
"I am so jealous," Vera replied as she finally understood what was going on.
Why would Lu Jingzhi's woman squeeze with all the other actors and actresses in a regular four star hotel?
"Alright then, you can rest for a short while before we attend the launching ceremony later in the afternoon."
…
As a matter of fact, there were already rumors circulating within the cast and the production crew that someone saw Jiang Yuning arriving at Shuofeng Film City.
During lunchtime, more than a dozen production crew members sat together as they gossiped. "How could that be possible? The cast that is lined up consists of all the front-line actors and actresses taking on the leading roles. How could it be possible that Director Shen Guobang has invited a blacklisted artiste to join the crew?"
"If the actors and actresses have been carefully scrutinized before being chosen, how could Jiang Yuning make the cut? It would be impossible for her to be invited to join the cast."
"I am certain that anyone of the production crew would be able to perform better than Jiang Yuning."
"Hahaha…" The production team laughed as they made fun of Jiang Yuning during their lunch break.
It was a common phenomenon for the production team to ignore and overlook the less popular actors or actresses, let alone someone who had been blacklisted such as Jiang Yuning. In their opinion, such actors or actresses could only be fit to star in those television dramas that could only ever achieve an average rating of 4.0.
At one o'clock in the afternoon, the launching ceremony of <Mysteries of Heaven> was about to begin.
The production crew had already set up a table in front of the towering palace wall. There was a roasted suckling pig and an incense holder placed at the center of the table.
Not too far away, there was a small crowd of supporters who were the fans of the cast members who were about to star in the drama.
Very soon, the production crew began introducing the actors and actresses to the public. What was shocking to the public, however, was not the introduction of those high-profile actors and actresses, but the introduction of Jiang Yuning as the third female lead.
When did she appear?
Was that really Jiang Yuning? Did I see wrongly?
No one could have expected that Director Shen Guobang would have awarded the role of the third female lead to Jiang Yuning.
Was Jiang Yuning really going to play the role of the third female lead, Lin Ping'er? This was insanity!
Was this the reason why the director had decided not to include Jiang Yuning's name during the initial announcements? If they had included Jiang Yuning's name during the promotion, who would want to watch the drama anymore?
There were a total of fourteen actors and actresses who were participating in the opening ceremony.
None of the actors or actresses liked or respected Jiang Yuning. Therefore, when they were taking a group photo, they had purposely pushed her back to the second row with the production crew.
Vera was standing at one side and she was angry and frustrated when she saw what was happening. However, Jiang Yuning signalled to Vera not to take any actions. This was because she knew that if she created a scene and offended the other cast members at that point, she would definitely not be able to survive the next three months.
The filming was set to begin right after the opening ceremony.
However, since Jiang Yuning was playing the role of the third female lead, she would not be participating in the first few takes. Therefore, her role today was to get her makeup done and then take some pictures for promotional purposes.
Vera accompanied Jiang Yuning to the female dressing room and at this time, the actress named Qian Ge who will be playing the role of the second female lead was also getting her makeup done in the dressing room. Qian Ge was not a professional actress but she initially debuted as a singer instead. After many years of difficulties, she finally achieved the status that she had today.
Moreover, she had already established the reputation that she was a very humble and warm actress to anyone she met.
"Good afternoon, senior," Jiang Yuning greeted the other party politely.
Qian Ge smiled slightly without giving any huge reaction. Instead, Qian Ge's agent suddenly laughed out loud and said, "So, you are that blacklisted artiste who actually got into the cast? We have to hurry up and get Qian Ge ready for the first scene. I want all the other makeup artists to come over here and help out with Qian Ge's makeup and preparations now."
Where is the humble and warm sister?
"But…we also have to apply makeup for Miss Jiang," replied one of the makeup artists who was sitting at the side of the dressing room as she looked up at Qian Ge's agent.
"Is she going to be acting in any of the scenes today? If she isn't, then what is the rush?" the female agent who was in her early thirties smirked and sneered. "If the director comes in and scolds us for being late, you are the ones who are going to get blamed for the delay."
The other two makeup artists looked at Qian Ge as they were trembling in fear before they glanced at Jiang Yuning and Vera.
"It's okay. Go and help them," Jiang Yuning replied calmly. "Just show me the makeup style that has been decided for me and I will put it on myself."
Jiang Yuning did not do that to be modest.
She was a blacklisted artiste…but she was not a newcomer who had no experience joining a cast before!